12-year-old journalist stands up for free speech – even after Arizona cop threatens to arrest her

By JILLIAN CHENEY

Feb 22, 2019 | 5:31 PM

Hilde Lysiak was reporting on a story in Patagonia, Ariz., when the town’s marshal pulled her over and told her he would arrest her for “disobeying his command” and riding her bike on the wrong side of the road.

Hilde Lysiak was reporting on a story in Patagonia, Ariz., when the town’s marshal pulled her over and told her he would arrest her for “disobeying his command” and riding her bike on the wrong side of the road.

Lysiak was in Arizona reporting for Orange Street News, the paper she started in Selinsgrove, Pa. Some of this reporting involved a video in which she tests the current border wall and talks to Arizona citizens about border security.

“You can tape me,” Patterson told her in the video she took. “But what I’m going to tell you is that if you put my face on the internet, it’s against the law.”

It, in fact, is not against the law.

Arizona law ARS 13-2401 does prohibit the sharing of private information online, but only “if the dissemination of the personal information poses an imminent and serious threat to… safety.” And above that, the First Amendment allows for the public recording of police officers on duty.

Lysiak posted the video and a report of the encounter on the Orange Street News website, and has since received support from many who believe the marshal’s actions were unnecessary.

“The matter has been carefully reviewed and we have taken action we believe to be appropriate for the situation,” said a statement on the Town of Patagonia website. However, authorities have not disclosed what action was taken.

“We do not publicly disclose personnel actions including discipline and will have no further comment on this matter,” they said.

This was enough resolution for Lysiak, the daughter of former Daily News reporter Matthew Lysiak, who had higher goals in mind.

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“I am glad the town has ‘taken action,’” she tweeted, “but one note, I don't believe people should spread around the Marshal's personal information on the internet. My focus is on protecting our First Amendment Rights. Thank you.”